Philippines Commands Two-Thirds of Asia-Pacific Satellite Device Base

A Geography Problem Solved by Orbit

The Philippines has captured 64 percent of all direct-to-device satellite connections in Asia-Pacific during the second quarter of 2026, according to internet analyst Ookla. The archipelago's dominance reflects both the appeal of satellite-based connectivity in a nation of more than 7,000 islands and the early momentum of Globe Telecom, which launched commercial service in June.

Ookla's data shows the country held the region's largest direct-to-device base even before Globe's formal launch. Network scans detected registrations from January onward, with the Philippines accounting for 56.1 percent of the regional base in the first quarter before expanding to 64 percent in the second. Ookla attributed the pre-launch activity to network testing by Globe, though some users likely registered early to verify device compatibility.

Across Asia-Pacific, the number of devices connecting to the internet via satellite grew more than fivefold between July 2025 and May 2026, with the Philippines driving the bulk of that expansion. Detected connections in the country climbed to nearly four times their January level by May, then declined in June, a pattern consistent with test campaigns winding down ahead of commercial availability.

Earthquake Response Accelerates Adoption

Globe activated its direct-to-device service at no charge in three southern provinces following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in June, demonstrating the technology's utility in disaster scenarios. The telco switched on coverage in Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat, where it serves approximately 700,000 subscribers. At least 150,000 of those users connected to the satellite network during the emergency period.

Usage in the affected provinces nearly doubled, rising to 21.1 percent in June from 11.6 percent in May, according to Ookla. The deployment underscored the appeal of satellite connectivity in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is damaged or absent. For an archipelago where many islands remain isolated from fiber and cellular networks, the technology offers a pathway to universal coverage that traditional infrastructure cannot easily match.

Globe's commercial offering, launched in partnership with Starlink, is priced at 99 Philippine pesos for prepaid users and included at no additional cost for postpaid customers. The pricing positions the service as accessible to a broad consumer base, though adoption will depend on device compatibility and signal quality.

Signal Quality Lags, But Infrastructure Is Coming

The Philippines recorded the weakest signal strength from Starlink's low earth orbit satellites among countries tracked by Ookla. The result is typical for nations near the equator, where satellite geometry reduces signal angles. Ookla noted that quality is expected to remain constrained until Starlink deploys additional satellites in 2027, which should improve coverage in equatorial regions.

Current direct-to-device performance falls well short of the speeds delivered by cellular towers and fiber lines in the Philippines. The gap will likely narrow as satellite constellations expand and ground equipment improves, but for now the technology serves primarily as a backup or last-resort option rather than a primary connection.

Still, the scale of early adoption suggests strong latent demand. The archipelago's geography creates pockets of population that are costly to reach with traditional infrastructure, making satellite connectivity an economically rational solution for both consumers and operators. Globe's first-mover position gives it a window to establish brand loyalty and scale before competitors enter the segment.

What Comes Next

The Philippines' lead in satellite device adoption is unlikely to persist indefinitely. Other operators across Asia-Pacific are testing or planning direct-to-device services, and regulatory frameworks in markets such as Indonesia and Thailand are evolving to permit satellite-terrestrial hybrids. Globe's advantage lies in timing and in the urgency created by the country's infrastructure gaps.

For the broader region, the Philippine experience offers a proof point. Satellite connectivity can scale quickly in markets where terrestrial buildout is slow or uneconomical, and consumer willingness to adopt appears strong when pricing is competitive. The next twelve months will reveal whether other Asia-Pacific markets follow the same trajectory or whether the Philippines represents a unique case driven by its specific geography and operator strategy.